Page 35 of Love's Bloom
“Yes, she’s a sweetie. Very alert, very attentive,” said Misty. She opened her phone and passed a photo of Sugar around.
Amid all the positive comments, Crystal said, “It’s important, everyone, to keep an eye on one another. This town has always been known for that. It’s something we don’t want to lose even as the town continues to grow.”
“Yeah, at first it was annoying, but I get it,” said Cooper, a literary agent married to Taylor. Though they lived most of the year in New York City, they’d grown to love their time in Lilac Lake.
“Where are you living?” Whitney asked Gage.
“Just outside of town. On a piece of property near the Collister’s Farm Stand. The house needs some work, but I have some acreage and a small barn, which is nice for the two horses I have.”
“Oh, I love cowboys,” said JoEllen, and many at the two tables for locals rolled their eyes.
Misty noticed the look of amusement on Gage’s face and realized he already understood what kind of person JoEllen was. He caught her eye and winked.
Sitting across from her, David grinned at them, and she felt its warmth.
Much of the following conversation was learning about Poppy and Gage. Listening to them talk about their reasons for coming to Lilac Lake, Misty realized how important it was to add new people to the mix. It kept relationships from getting stale, and it helped keep a sense of community.
Misty stayed long enough to have a beer and a salad and then excused herself. “Sorry, but I have to get back home to check on Sugar. I don’t want to leave her for too long. Nice to see everyone and to have Poppy and Gage join us.”
David stood. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Thanks,” said Misty. Of them all, David was the one person who knew how scared she’d been at the thought of seeing her ex-boyfriend.
Outside the bar, Misty turned to David. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me. I’m very thankful for Sugar and feel much better about things.”
“Don’t forget. You promised me you would take a couple of karate lessons. I teach at Kung Fu Karate, which is run by the regional high school. I’m an instructor tomorrow night. I think you should come and observe a couple of classes. Then I can arrange to teach you on your own.”
“Okay. I’ll do it. I’ll feel better knowing I can defend myself.”
“It’s important.” David looked down and shuffled his feet. When he lifted his gaze to her, she noted a flicker of sadness and wondered if she’d imagined it.
“I was small for my age and bullied by one kid in school who moved away in the eighth grade,” he said. “But for a year, he made my life miserable. That’s when my parents signed me up for karate lessons. It changed my life. I was never bullied again.”
“You’re very tall now,” said Misty, studying his trim but muscular frame.
He chuckled. “It surprised us all when the growth spurt happened suddenly. I went from being one of the shortest kids in class to one of the tallest.”
She studied him for a moment. “You’re always trying to help me. I appreciate it.”
He put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re a strong woman. You’ve had a horrible experience and are doing your best to rebuild your life…” his voice drifted off.
Misty had the feeling he wanted to say more, but he remained silent.
He leaned down and quickly kissed her cheek, leaving behind a fluttering sensation inside her.
As he walked away, she realized she hadn’t pulled away from him and lifted a hand to touch her cheek.
###
Misty went to the front door of her house to unlock it, curious to see what she’d find inside. She could hear Sugar barking. Smiling at the fierceness of it, Misty opened the door and then laughed as the dog lunged for her with enthusiastic cries of joy.
Misty set down her purse and lifted the dog into her arms, giggling as Sugar covered her cheeks with kisses.
“Aw, sweetie, I missed you too,” Misty murmured, thrilled by the dog’s response to her.
“And good dog for barking. You sounded like a big, ferocious guard dog, not the softie you are.”
Misty set the dog down. Closing the door behind her, she went into her living room, pleased to see everything in order. “I don’t know what Cassandra Overton did to train you so well, but I can’t wait to thank her in person,” she said to Sugar. “I’ll call tomorrow morning to make an appointment for us to see her.”
